Crock Pot Sloppy Joes are simple to make in the slow cooker and loaded with rich flavors. Cooked low and slow with brown sugar, tomato sauce, and spices, this homemade recipe is a meat lover’s dream. It’s a great, budget-friendly dish that’s ideal for a weeknight meal, parties, or when you’re feeding a crowd!
Like Sloppy Joes, easy recipes like Slow Cooker Beef Roast, Crock Pot Pulled Pork, and Crock Pot Salsa Chicken are great for sandwiches.
In This Post
Once you’ve tasted “from scratch” Sloppy Joes, you’ll never go back to the canned stuff. Not only is the flavor over-the-top amazing, but they are also so easy to make. Simmering the Sloppy Joes in the slow cooker brings out all the flavors of the spices, making this a recipe that you’ll make time and time again.
This recipe is even easier with the right equipment! Discover my top slow cooker recommendations and make your cooking effortless.
Why These Crock-Pot Sloppy Joes Are a Weeknight Hero
Slow cooker convenience meets that classic, comforting sloppy joe flavor in this easy recipe. Made with just a handful of fridge staples—ground beef, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar—and simmered to saucy perfection, this dish is perfect for feeding a crowd or simplifying dinner on busy nights.
What You’ll Need (Easy Prep, Low Fuss)
- 6-quart slow cooker – large enough for family-sized meals
- Skillet (optional) – use it to brown meat before adding to crock-pot
- Measuring cups & spoons – for quick, accurate prep
- Spatula or spoon – to stir and serve
Most Often Asked Questions and Answers
Nope, but browning adds flavor and helps reduce grease—up to you!
Stir in a dash of chili powder, hot sauce, or diced jalapeño when you add the sauce—easy heat boost!
Sure. Both of those options are great substitutions in this recipe.
Yes, you can. But for this recipe, I recommend cooking the beef with the onions and garlic to maximize the flavor. I also think the texture of cooked ground beef is much better.
Sloppy Joe Recipe Ingredients
- Sandwich Bread– Used with the meat to create a thick and rich sauce.
- Milk– Adds moisture and richness to the ground beef mixture.
- Ground Beef– I like to use lean ground beef for sloppy Joes. If you choose to use one with more fat content, be sure to drain any excess grease.
- Vegetable Oil– Used for sautéing onions and garlic, providing flavor and preventing sticking.
- Onions and Garlic– Enhances the dish’s overall flavor with its aromatic taste.
- Chili Powder– Contributes a spicy and smoky flavor to the Sloppy Joe mixture.
- Tomato Sauce– Provides a tomato base and adds a rich, tangy flavor.
- Ketchup– Adds sweetness and complements the tomato flavor in the Sloppy Joe sauce.
- Brown Sugar– Sweetens the meat mixture, balancing the overall flavor.
- Salt and Pepper– Seasonings that enhance and balance the taste.
Additions and Variations
- Spicy Jalapeño Sloppy Joes: Increase the heat by adding diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper and bell peppers to the Sloppy Joe mixture, giving it a spicy kick that pairs well with the sauce’s sweetness.
- BBQ Bacon Sloppy Joes: Enhance the smoky flavor by incorporating crispy bacon bits into the Sloppy Joe mixture and adding a few tablespoons of your favorite barbecue sauce for a tangy twist.
How To Make Sloppy Joes In A Crock Pot
- Start by tearing the bread into pieces and soaking it in milk. This may sound a bit strange, but it’s an important step, so make sure you don’t skip it. It makes the Sloppy Joes thick and the sauce extra rich.
- Next, saute the meat, onions, and garlic until browned.
- Now, this is where things come together. Transfer the brown ground beef mixture to the crock pot. Add in all the remaining ingredients, stir, and set the temperature and timer.
- When it’s time to serve, taste for seasoning and spoon onto buns.
How To Make Crock Pot Sloppy Joes For A Crowd
This recipe for loose meat sandwiches is great for feeding a crowd. Double the ingredients and then follow the instructions for cooking. Make sure to use a 7-quart or larger slow cooker.
Meal Prep & Freezer-Friendly Tips
Quick prep trick: Freeze uncooked sloppy joe mix in a zip-top bag (meat + sauce). Thaw and cook in the crock-pot for an easy dinner.
Make-ahead: Assemble ingredients in the crock-pot the night before. In the morning, start it on LOW and come back to dinner ready.
Freeze for later: Once cooked, cool, then portion into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Microwave individual servings or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes—covered to retain moisture.
Serving Suggestions
- My favorite way to serve Sloppy Joes is on a toasted hamburger bun. I add a big helping of Creamy Cole Slaw and Sweet Heat Pickles to my plate and dig in!
- Crock Pot Baked Beans, Deviled Egg Pasta Salad, and Air Fryer Corn On The Cob are yummy sides to pair when serving for game day or feeding lots of people.
- For a new twist on meat and potatoes, ladle homemade Sloppy Joes over Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, tater tops, or Sweet Potato Fries and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love
If you tried this Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread – torn into pieces
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion – finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, mash together torn bread and milk. Mix in with ground beef.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add in onions and cook until softened. Add in garlic and chili powder and cook for 2 minutes. Add in ground beef mixture and cook until browned. Break up any large chunks of meat with a wooden spoon or potato masher.
- Transfer meat mixture to slow cooker. Add in tomato sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover with lid. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or 3-5 on high.
- When done, skim off any fat that's collected with a large spoon and discard. Adjust seasoning. Serve on warm buns.
Video
Notes
- Sloppy Joes are a great dish to prepare ahead of time. You can cook the Sloppy Joe mixture, let it cool, and then refrigerate it. When ready to serve, reheat it in the crockpot on low until warmed through.
- To freeze, allow the Sloppy Joes to cool completely before transferring them to airtight containers or freezer bags. Label and date the containers, and they can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Nutrition
Want To Know More About Slow Cooking?
If you are new to cooking with a Crock Pot or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using a slow cooker like a pro!
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
I’ll never buy another can of manwhich. I loved it and so did the grandkids
This kind of review makes my heart so happy! Y’all enjoy!! ~Donya
I have, what I thought, is a pretty good Sloppy Joe recipe, but yours are over the top! Love the convenience of the crock pot. Served with cole slaw and potato chips, along with your Cowboy Candy. Everybody loved ’em. I really like all your recipes and look forward to them arriving in my inbox. Thanks, Donya.
Trish, you are the sweetest thing! I am humbled and thrilled with your comment. Thank you so much and I am thankful you are part of the Southern Soul family.
XO,
~Donya
ThIis is a terrific recipe. It is easy to follow your directions. I get rave reviews whenever I make it. If you think you don’t like slppy joes, try this.It will win you over. Btw I usually make this on the stovetop for easier cleanup.
Hey there Leslie!
Wow! I am so happy to hear that you’ve been enjoying this recipe, making it on the stovetop for an easier cleanup is a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and for your phenomenal rating, I really appreciate your kind words and support! If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to ask, I’m happy to help!
~Donya
The sloppy Joe recipe and picture look delicious. It’s making my stomach rumble. Why is there bread mixed with the ground beef? Please let me know.
Thanks,
Merrilee
Hey there!
Thank you so much, I appreciate your kind words! That’s a great question. I like to combine the bread and milk with my ground beef because it soaks up the cooked off fat from the beef and thickens up the sloppy joes, it’s pretty much the same idea as adding bread crumbs to meat balls. I really hope you enjoy this recipe, let me know how you like it!
Have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
your recipe instructions said to Add in garlic and chili powder and cook for 2 minutes, but there isn’t any garlic or amount of garlic listed in the recipe.
Hey Anita!
Thank you. It’s all fixed now. Have mercy, how could I forget the garlic? That’s one of the best flavors.
Have a wonderful day,
~Donya